30 years: A journey of growth
Pennsylvania Highlands, initially known as Cambria County Area Community College, held its inaugural classes on September 6th, 1994. Three decades later, the College has become an educational cornerstone for over 60,000 community members throughout the region, with its influence continually expanding.
Penn Highlands will be commemorating its 30th Anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic year, marked by various events and special celebrations.
This milestone provides an occasion to acknowledge the accomplishments of our students, staff, faculty, patrons, and alumni. Their collective efforts have enhanced our region, making it an excellent place to reside and work.
Penn Highlands remains steadfast in its mission of offering the region cost-effective avenues to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for work, everyday life, and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
The first classes were held on September 6, 1994. The College was known as Cambria County Area Community College at the time.
Dr. John O. Hunter was named the College's first president. He served from 1994 to 1999.
The College collaborates with the Hiram G. Andrews Center to inaugurate the institution's library on April 18, 1996.
The College inaugurated its first downtown Johnstown location in Central Park with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Aquinas Hall, situated within Bishop Carroll High School, was initially chosen as the College's inaugural northern campus. Subsequently, the site was relocated to the present-day Ebensburg Center.
The College was granted permission to use the Shawnee name within its mascot. The Shawnee Tribe in Tahlequah, Oklahoma granted this.
First-ever athletics event at the College took place on November 13, 1998. It was a men's basketball game against Butler County Community College.
The mascot at the time was the Shawnee Cardinals.
Dr. Kathleen V. Davis was named the College's second president. She served from 1999 to 2001.
The final sporting event as the Shawnee Cardinals was held on February 17, 2001.
Sports were officially suspended in June 2001.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education granted the College accreditation.
Dr. Anna D. Weitz was named the College's third president. She served from 2002 to 2007.
Dr. Walter J. Asonevich was named the College's fourth president. He served from 2007 to 2019.
The College established its first true home base in 2007 with the opening of its Richland Campus.
The College expands its footprint into Blair County. Our Blair Center opened its doors in the Logan Valley Mall on July 31, 2013.
The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships granted the College national accreditation for its Accelerated College Education concurrent enrollment program on May 12, 2014.
The Medical Assisting Technology program was awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs on September 16, 2016.
After an evaluation period, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaffirmed the accreditation for Pennsylvania Highlands.
Accreditation ensures that institutions meet rigorous standards and provide quality education to their students.
Our Men’s Basketball team won the WPCC Title for the first time in Penn Highlands history on February 18, 2018.
The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security designated the College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE2Y).
During the Convocation Ceremony on August 22, 2019, the new and updated Alma Mater was played for the first time to a group of incoming students.
The song, penned by Gary Boast, earned its selection via a competitive process.
Dr. Steven C. Nunez was named the College's fifth president. He began his tenure in 2020.
To help with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the community, Penn Highlands Community College students, faculty, and administration strove to inform, donate, and connect with each other in unique ways during those difficult months. >> Learn more.
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Ebensburg Center re-opened on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Renovations at the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Ebensburg Center include changes that “right-sized” the facility to create a more useable, inclusive workspace better equipped to ensure future success for students.
In January 2021, Black Bear eSports Gaming was added to the College's list of athletic programs, introducing a whole new element to collegiate sports at Penn Highlands. Student-athletes began competing as members of the National Junior College Athletic Association eSports (NJCAAE).
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College officially became the owner of the Richland Campus facility, located at 101 Community College Way in Johnstown, PA, as of April 29, 2021. This is the College’s first owned property since it was established in 1994.
For the first time, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers a four-week Winter Session.
Pennsylvania Highlands unveils the Use of Force Simulator. The new, state-of-the-art simulator resides on the lower level of the College’s Richland Campus and recreates over 750 real-world scenarios in a safe and controlled environment with varying responses to resistance.
The Johnstown Regional Police Academy was transferred to the College, making it the Penn Highlands Police Academy.
The Police Academy is a certified unit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (Act 120).
Pennsylvania Highlands officials signed multiple local partnerships, officially establishing the formation of the Criminal Justice Training Center.
The Criminal Justice Training Center serves as a hub for five different areas of the criminal justice field, including two stemming from Penn Highlands with the Police Academy and Use of Force Simulator.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College announces expansion into Centre County with a lease in Bellefonte, PA to open a new facility. The new location will be housed on the second floor of the Match Factory.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College launches the Institute of Cyber Security (ICS), offering a comprehensive educational suite of pathway programs that includes three associate degree programs and two certificate options.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College unveiled its Center for Culinary Excellence at a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, March 27, in its new downtown Johnstown location.